Chris Carroll – Walking for a cause

Medibank has a team of four walking 100km together to raise money for Oxfam.

Regarded as one of Australia’s toughest charity events, Oxfam Trailwalker is the ultimate team challenge. Held annually in ten countries around the world, this year the Oxfam walk will take place at four locations in Australia – Melbourne (April), Brisbane (June), Sydney (August) and Perth (October).

As well as a challenging team event, the walk raises money for Oxfam Australia, part of a global movement of dedicated people working hard to fight poverty and injustice.

In 2013, the Melbourne Oxfam Trailwalker event is looking to raise more than $3 million. Medibank General Manager of Marketing and Digital Chris Carroll is walking the event together with a Medibank team. We asked him to tell us a little bit about why he’s getting involved with Oxfam Trailwalker.

Why did you decide to participate in the 100km Oxfam Trailwalker?

It has always been a goal of mine. It combines a physical challenge with teamwork and has charity outcomes – it’s a kind of a bucket list thing to tick off.

You are part of a team of four – how did you choose your team?

Like most things, the team came about from a casual conversation about the event and whether anyone else was interested. It’s important that the team dynamic works in an event like this.

How are you preparing for the event?

I’m trying to get a good mix of runs and long walks in. I’ve run a bit before and it feels a bit strange walking but it’s really important (I am told) to get the body used to the different action that walking is to running. Foot blisters especially are something the long walks will hopefully prepare me for.

Has anyone in the team participated before?

One of our teammates has done it before and is a good source of information. Each of us also knows other people who have completed the walk, so I think we are going in with our eyes open (or partially open). I am expecting an extremely challenging 20 hours or so. This will be a bigger mental challenge than physical if I do the right level of preparation. It’s not often you get those anticipatory butterflies in life, so I’m looking forward to both the build-up and then getting going. Hopefully we all make it across the line in one piece and still friends.

What is your fundraising target? How can people donate to your team?

We’re looking to raise $5,000 for the work of Oxfam. People can go to this site and donate to help us reach our target and even better continue the work of Oxfam.

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